How Buddy Hield can make Golden State even more dangerous in the new NBA season
Artemy Berstenev July 5, 2024, 09:15 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
This may be the smartest deal in years.
Golden State signed Buddy Hield after the Warriors reached a sign-and-trade agreement with Philadelphia. We got all the details last night and it looks like Hield has settled in with the California team for the long haul. Shams Charania tells us: the Warriors are trading their future second-round pick to the Sixers.
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A follow-up report from Adrian Wojnarowski revealed all the details of Hield’s new deal with Golden State: The point guard signed a two-year deal worth $21 million. He’ll pocket $18 million over those two years, with an additional $3 million that’s partially guaranteed if he stays for a third year. There’s also a player option for a fourth season, but there are no guarantees there. As for Philadelphia, the Warriors will send them a 2031 second-round draft pick that belonged to Dallas.
Buddy Hield arrives in Golden State and voila, we have a replacement for Klay Thompson joining the ranks of the Mavericks. Without Hield, Steve Kerr would have to rewrite his entire tactics, but now the Warriors have a sharpshooter who not only knows how to get to the basket from long range, but does so with 40% accuracy. Hield is the guy who will keep defenders on their toes by moving away from the ball and creating space for Stephen Curry.
Buddy Hield (ball), NBA Playoffs – 2024
Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
With Hield’s arrival, the Warriors now have a solution to the problem of double- and triple-guarding their star shooting guard, a problem that could have arisen following Thompson’s departure. Golden State’s front office did a great job of quickly finding Klay’s replacement while also maintaining flexibility for future trades. Before that, Kyle Anderson joined the team, whose versatility in play is exactly what the Club needs on both defense and offense. Thompson’s departure may even improve Kerr’s lineup, making the Warriors a more complete team.
Hield will support the Californian’s signature dynamic game based on speed and expanding the playing field. Golden State is actively modernizing, fighting for a new championship title. The Warriors may be just a few steps away from their desired level of play, and bringing in Hield is a strategic move that will strengthen their position heading into the new season. Not to mention that Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield have led the team in shots from behind the arc since 2017, with 2,154 and 1,924, respectively.
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